Air frying has become an extremely popular way to make fried foods like french fries, chicken wings, and more in a healthier way by using little to no oil. Many ovens now come with built-in air fryer settings, allowing you to air fry right in your regular oven. But to get the best results when air frying in your oven, you need to use the right type of pan. So what is the best pan for air frying in a convection oven?
There are a few key factors to consider when choosing an air fryer pan for use in your oven. The pan should be made of a conductive metal like aluminum or steel to promote even heating. It should also have a non-stick coating for easy food release. And the pan should be oven safe at the high temperatures used for air frying, around 400°F.
Taking these factors into account, the best pans for air frying in a convection oven are:
- Aluminum pizza pan
- Perforated sheet pan
- Wire rack sheet pan
- Steel baking pan
- Ceramic non-stick pan
In this article, we’ll compare the pros and cons of each type of pan to determine which is truly the best for getting perfect air fried results in your oven.
Aluminum Pizza Pan
An aluminum pizza pan is one of the most popular and widely available options for air frying in an oven. Here are the main benefits of using an aluminum pizza pan:
- Inexpensive and easy to find – Aluminum pizza pans are very affordable and sold at most grocery and kitchen stores.
- Good conductivity – Aluminum efficiently conducts heat, helping food cook evenly.
- Non-stick surface – Pizza pans have a non-stick coating for easy food release.
- Oven safe at high heat – Can withstand air fryer temperatures around 400°F.
- Allows air circulation – Small holes or slots in the bottom promote air flow.
There are a couple potential drawbacks to note with aluminum pizza pans:
- Can warp – May warp or bend slightly at high temps.
- May need oil/grease – Foods can still stick without a bit of oil.
But overall, a basic aluminum pizza pan makes an excellent choice for air frying in your oven. The conductivity allows for fast, even cooking while the non-stick surface prevents sticking. Just be sure to season or lightly oil the pan as needed.
Perforated Sheet Pan
Perforated sheet pans (also called cooling racks) are another good option for oven air frying. Here are the main pros:
- Allows maximum airflow – Holes over entire surface let air circulate all around food.
- Avoids sogginess – Airflow decreases moisture so foods stay crispy.
- Allows excess oil to drip – Oil drips away from foods through the holes.
- Easy cleanup – Crumbs and debris fall through holes.
There are just a couple potential cons with a perforated sheet pan:
- Small foods may fall through – Not ideal for small items like fries.
- Can produce uneven browning – Spaces between holes may brown faster.
So a perforated sheet pan is best for air frying larger vegetables, proteins, or other foods that won’t slip through the holes. Just keep an eye on any potential hot spots.
Wire Rack Sheet Pan
Similar to a perforated sheet pan, a wire rack sheet pan is a wire cooling rack that sits inside a rimmed baking sheet. Here are the pros of a wire rack:
- Excellent airflow all around – Better than solid pan for even cooking.
- Oil and crumbs drain away – Helps foods stay crispy and less oily.
- Prevents sogginess – Air circulation decreases moisture.
- Allows light browning on all sides – Food cooks evenly from all angles.
The cons are similar to a perforated pan:
- Not ideal for small foods – Things may slip through the wires.
- Potential hot spots – Spaces between wires may brown faster.
So a wire rack sheet pan gives great crispy air fried results, you just need to be mindful of the size and shape of foods to prevent slippage through the wires. The lifting off the pan surface also improves air circulation.
Steel Baking Pan
A basic steel baking pan can also be used effectively for air fryer cooking in the oven. Here are the main advantages of steel:
- Inexpensive and readily available – Easy to find standard baking pans.
- Good heat conductor – Steel evenly distributes heat.
- Sturdy and durable – Holds up well to higher oven temps.
- Various sizes – Allows cooking different amounts.
- Typically non-stick – Most have non-stick surface for easy release.
The drawbacks of a steel baking pan include:
- Lower airflow – Solid pan prevents air circulating under food.
- Potential uneven cooking – Sides may brown more than interior.
- Foods may stick – Non-stick coating can degrade over time.
If using a steel pan, rotate it midway during cooking and allow extra space between food for improved airflow. Overall, it’s a affordable basic pan that gets the job done.
Ceramic Non-Stick Pan
Finally, ceramic non-stick pans are also useful for oven air frying. Here are the benefits:
- Safer non-stick coating – Ceramic coatings are PTFE and PFOA free.
- Good heat conduction – Ceramic evenly distributes heat.
- Lightweight – Weighs less than metal pans.
- Super non-stick – Releases food very easily.
- Easy cleanup – Food doesn’t stick to the surface.
The drawbacks are:
- More expensive – Cost more than basic metal pans.
- Prone to chipping – Ceramic coatings may chip over time.
- Lower oven temp capacity – Best used under 400°F.
So a ceramic non-stick pan can provide easy release and cleanup when air frying, just be aware of the temperature limitations for safe usage.
Comparison Table
| Pan Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum Pizza Pan | Inexpensive, good conductor, non-stick coating, oven safe at high heat, allows air flow | Can warp over time, may need added oil |
| Perforated Sheet Pan | Allows maximum air flow, avoids sogginess, allows oil to drip away, easy cleanup | Smaller foods may slip through holes, potential uneven browning |
| Wire Rack Sheet Pan | Excellent all around airflow, oil and crumbs fall away, prevents sogginess, browns food evenly | Not ideal for small foods, potential hot spots |
| Steel Baking Pan | Inexpensive, good conductor, durable, various sizes available, typically non-stick | Lower airflow, uneven cooking, foods may stick over time |
| Ceramic Non-Stick Pan | Safer non-stick coating, good conductor, lightweight, super non-stick, easy cleanup | More expensive, prone to chipping, lower max temp capacity |
Conclusion
Based on the pros, cons, and comparison, the best pan for air frying in a convection oven is a perforated sheet pan or wire rack sheet pan.
The abundance of holes or wire rack surface allows for maximum all around airflow. This gives the crispiest and most evenly cooked results when air frying, without the need for any added oil.
A basic aluminum pizza pan also works very well for air frying in the oven. While it doesn’t provide quite as much airflow, it conducts heat efficiently for even cooking. And it’s inexpensive and readily available.
For air frying small or loose foods, a steel baking pan prevents items from falling through. And a ceramic non-stick pan provides an easy-release surface.
But for the absolute best results, perforated and wire rack sheet pans allow for full air circulation all around the food for the crispiest oven air fried foods. Give one of these pans a try the next time you want to air fry in your convection oven!